Appointment of new Australian High Commissioner to Malta announced

On 14 November 2016 the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop, announced the appointment of Ms Julienne Hince (pictured right), a career diplomat, as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Malta. Ms Hince will also have non-resident accreditation to Tunisia.

In her statement published on the Ministry’s website, Ms Bishop said that “Australia and Malta enjoy close ties. The relationship is built on strong people-to-people links, a common parliamentary system and our membership of the Commonwealth. We also share a strong commitment to the promotion of international peace, security and prosperity.

“Australia looks forward to working with Malta and other members of the European Union as we progress towards an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, which will expand our trade and investment, and boost prosperity in our countries.

“The visit to Australia of H.E. Ms Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta in July 2016 helped forge new connections and strengthen foundations on which to develop future cooperation.

“Australia has long been a strong supporter of Tunisia’s transition to democracy. We cooperate on a range of important issues, including regional security in North Africa, to address the challenges of terrorism and foreign fighters,” said Ms Bishop.

Profile of the new High Commissioner Designate

Ms Hince is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Director, South America and Council on Australia-Latin America Relations Section, DFAT. She was Deputy Director of the DFAT Victorian State Office and Director of the DFAT Northern Territory Office.

Ms Hince has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Athens, with earlier postings in Bangladesh and Germany. Ms Hince holds a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.